Tube-socket cleaner



April 21, 1931. c: w, FARRINGTON 1,801,731

'TUBE SOCKET CLEANER Filed July 18, 1928 I aven a1 the result of electrical Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES CHARLES W. FARRINGTON, or BEDFORD, MAssAcnUsETTs TUBE-SOCKET CLEANER Application filed July 18, 1928. Serial No.' 293,762.

This invention relates to radio apparatus and particularly to receiving sets and aims to provide a novel and improved device for removing the corrosion, dust and any deposit,

tacts in the tube sockets. f

In the drawing of one embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description, 1

.Fig 1 is a side elevation of my novel device;

Fig. 2, a vertical section thereof;`

Fig. 3, a cross-section on Vthe line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a vertical section through one form of socket usually termed the U V socket showing my device positioned therein for use;

Fig. 5, a similar view of the device in another type of socket known as the U X type;

0 and Fig. 6, a modified form of the polishing spindle.

y novel cleaning device, as illustrated,

Fig. 1, comprises a handle 1 of any convenient 0 and suitablel outline andV material as wood,

drilled lengthwise, Fig. 2, to receive a shaft 2, and highV enough to permit its convenient use above the top of the shield that some receiving sets are provided with.

vided with a preferably metal collar 3 resting on a washer 4 and a head 5A is secured to the shaft 2 as by a set screw 6V through a metal bushing 7.

The lower end of the shaft 2V carries, Fig. 3, a pinion 8 preferably of liber or other suitable insulation which meshes with and rotates pinions 9, 10, 11, 12.

The lower end of the handle 1 may have formed therein a chamber a as, for instance, it may be received within a head or shell 13 of any suitable material as hard rubber,

fiber, etc., abutting against a flange 14.

Each pinion 9, 10, 11, 12 carries an elongated depending spindle or shaft 15 which turns in a bearing 16 in the bottom wall 17 of the shell 13 while the lower end of the shaft 2 is reduced and rests in a slot 18 in the wall 17. The spindles 15 are of such material that they may be provided with an abrasive action from the con-l Vcleaning that surface 19, like a ile, or, be provided with a coat emery, or other abrasive rial. Or, if smooth and with.

"As is well known, the metal contacts in radio equipment after a while become cor-V roded and foul with-dust so that the eiiiciency of the instrument is impaired.

' To clean the contacts 21 in the U V type of socket, the lower end :of the handle 13V is inserted in the socketl23 until the flange 14 rests upon the top of the socket and turned Fig. 6, they may of carborundum, Vor cleaning matepreferred, the spindles may be a .polishing powder used there- 55 i until the pin 25 engages the usual locking slot 551.

in the socket, not shown, when the lower ends of the polishing members 19 rest Vupon the contacts 21 withoutv bending them downward excessively. The head 5 is then rotated, thus rotating each of the spindles 9 to 12 and part of the surface of the contact member 21 where lthe pins on the tubes usually rest.

In the case of a U'-V X socket where the contacts are on the side ofthe pin openings as in 75 Fig. 5, themembers 19 `will clean them on the side or edge adjacent the pins.

Naturally the spindles will be of such num- Vber and size or various sizes and arrangement On the upper end' the shaft, Fig. 2, is pro-.V

as are necessary for the different types of sockets in general use.

Obviously many changes may be made in the details of construction all within the spirit of my invention and the scope of the claims.

My novel device above described will clean and polish the contacts thoroughly and quickly. The device is compact, not expensive and ishing areas to engage said contacts on the sides and end thereof.

2. A tube socket Contact cleaner comprising a handle, a shaft therein with a head, a 5 driving pinion on the shaft, a plurality of pinions meshing with the driven pinion and each carrying a polishing spindle positioned to engage a contact.

3. A tube socket contact cleaner comprising a handle, a shaft therethrough with a head, a driving pinion on the shaft, driven pinions meshing With the driving pinion and carrying elongated spindles With polishing surfaces thereon constructed to extend through l" the bottom of the socket and engage the contacts.

4. A tube socket contact cleaner comprising a handle, a rotatable driving member therein with a head` a driving pinion on the said member, a plurality of cooperating driven elements for said driving pinion with abrasive elements thereon to clean the pin contacts.

5. A tube socket Contact cleaner comprising a handle, a shaft therein with a rotating head, a chamber on the lower end of the handle with a plurality 'of pinions enclosed therein operatively connected to the shaft each carrying a cleaning member constructed to 3Q engage and polish a tube socket contact.

6. A tube socket contact cleaner compris ing a handle with a chamber on one end constructed to overlie the tube support, polishing members mounted in the chamber Wall and constructed to extend through the socket bottom and engage the contacts to clean them, and means to rotate from the handle top the polishing members.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciication.

CHARLES W. FARRINGTON. 

